Every cook has a few favorite kitchen tools. Some cooks have LOTS of favorite kitchen tools. The pros have even more! There are probably a few things we all agree on, but what kitchen tools go on a cook's "must-have" list?

The answers vary depending on the types of food we make, the ingredients we use, and our favorite methods of preparation.

Since I recently moved (and thus had the opportunity to get rid of many tools and gadgets I didn't need/want), I thought this was a good time to share with you MY special list of kitchen favorites.

Keep in mind, these are my preferences. I prefer simple, rustic recipes with little prep time, so my list of essentials is pretty short and suited for the way I cook and eat. In fact, it was such a struggle to come up with ten items that I decided to list just eight! (Later on, when I share my personal list of pantry essentials, it'll be another story entirely!)

Another reason I wanted share this list with you now is that any of these items would make a great holiday gift for the cooks on your list. But beware! As I mentioned, one's choice of kitchen tools is based on personal preference, so just because Aunt Sue doesn't have an doesn't mean she's been dying to get one! Sometimes, it's best to go with the old gift card or, better yet, ask them to take you shopping at their favorite kitchen store!

1. Whisk. I like to make sauces, especially ones that begin with a roux. For all my whisking needs, I prefer an . I have small hands, and I feel like the French whip gives me the most control. I've known lots of cooks who prefer longer, larger balloon whisks, so it's all a matter of preference.

2. Kitchen scale. Whether I'm weighing flour for bread or trying to figure out how many fingerling potatoes make 2 lbs, my kitchen scale always has the answer. I prefer a digital read-out for accuracy, but cool retro models are still out there as well if you're trying to keep with a theme.

3. Cast iron skillet. I recently extolled my adoration for cast iron and it's all still true. Cast iron is the one cooking surface that can take on anything that needs cooking, from tofu scramble and pancakes to sauteed veg to stir-fry, you name it. Plus, it's cheap and lasts forever!

4. Microplane grater. It's a grater. It's a zester. It grinds nutmegs into smithereens! It's also perfect for adding *just a little bit* of grated chocolate to the top of your hot cocoa (or, uhm, morning cup of joe). The best microplanes have a molded handle for comfort AND safety.

5. A good knife. Perhaps above all other kitchen tools, knives are the most personal. Everyone has their favorite style, brand, construction and price point. Most of my foodie friends love to pick on me about this one, because MY favorite, every-day, go-to knife is by IKEA. Yeah, I know, you're rolling your eyes. It's an 8-inch santoku-style vegetable knife like this one and I love it. Would I love to someday have a (expensive!) Wusthof of my very own? Sure, but I can't imagine straying from the santoku style that slices through veg matter like buttah.


6. Ramekins. The ultimate multi-tasker. They hold dipping sauces and salad dressings ("on the side," Sally said). They double as prep bowls for complicated recipes. I use them to bake individual pot pies, single-serve carrot cakes or even . They don't have to be expensive or fancy. (I'm pretty sure mine came from TJ Maxx and were 4 for $6.) I frequently see them in thrift shops. Just be sure to check for cracks!)

7. Parchment paper. Another great multi-tasker item. Use it to line baking sheets for easy cleanup without adding fat. Wrap up packets of veggies for steaming. Line a cast iron dutch oven with parchment paper when baking bread in it. Yes, it's pretty much a one-time-use item, but to be kinder to the environment, look for unbleached, recycled parchment options like . 

8. Electric kettle. It might be obvious to use this for heating water for tea and French press. But it's also great to have on hand for instant soups (like miso), to warm water for bread making, or to fill a water bath when baking something delicate in your ramekins! Look for something with a large capacity and an automatic shut-off-- something akin to this .

That's it for my absolutely, hands-down, must-have kitchen tools. These are the things that I use on practically a daily basis and couldn't live without. Stay tuned for more "essentials" lists, including my pantry staples, vegan baking ingredients, and easy "recipe savers" that every cook should know about.